Vice-President Sara supports a ban on the use of gadgets during classes “subject to exceptions”

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said she agrees with the Senate bill to ban the use of electronic gadgets and mobile devices on school premises during school hours.

However, the public official said the gadget ban should only cover personal use, with exceptions for necessary cases such as educational reasons or emergencies.

“We do not agree with the ban on gadgets for personal use, (but) subject to exceptions. I understand and I have read the draft that there are exceptions, especially if the gadget is for learning and teaching,” Duterte told the media in Davao City on Wednesday.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian recently filed Senate Bill 2706 or the proposed Electronic Gadget Free Schools Act.

The activity covers teachers and students from kindergarten to secondary schools, both in public and non-public primary education institutions.

“In addition to harming students’ academic performance, it appears that access to such devices may mediate involvement in cyberbullying, and therefore the use of mobile devices and other electronic gadgets should be limited, especially during class hours,” Gatchalian said.